This years pick of racing games for me has been Hot Wheels Unleashed.

True, it released a couple of years ago, but whenever I have had a spare hour or two it has been my go to on both console and PC.

Now hot of the heels of Hot Wheels Unleashed comes Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged.

At the start you’ll have a selection of bikes, cars and even a monster truck. Each vehicle has its own unique set of features and drawbacks, from Boost level, to drifting prowess, handling and speed.

Then the game literally throws you into your first race.

Up against other similarly spec’d vehicles it’s within this tutorial race you’ll get a feel for the game.  But someone should tell Milestone it’s not great to throw full screen prompts and tips throughout a fierce race to the finish.

Nonetheless, for players of the first Unleashed title you’ll notice a few new additions have been added. Such as the ability to bump your competitors into a railing, an obstacle or each other.

Boost handles a bit different as well. And then there’s the ability and need to jump. Car physics have been revised to more real world. Boost right up behind an opponent to make them flip as would happen to a real plastic toy car.

Completing races earns you Coins, Spin Tokens and all important Skill Points. Spend your hard earned Coins in the game’s Shop. The vehicles offered in there refresh constantly.

Spin Tokens are used within the Hot Wheels Spin. A casino like affair where you get a random prize from the spin wheel.

Skill points add to your tally and you’ll level up.

You can upgrade your existing vehicles and also sticker them up too.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has an easy to use main menu. Everything is tiled, from quick race modes, track builder, shop and more.

Quick Race features a myriad of gameplay options, including multiplayer split screen. Time Attack, Elimination, Drifting, Single Race and more.

Don’t like the tracks on offer, or tried them all, then build your own and test them out with friends. And all tracks tend to have a few environmental hazards.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged also has an odd story mode; Creature Rampage.

You’re a part of a squad that uses a Professor’s Shrinkatron.

You’ve been shrunk down to micro size and take on differing courses, challenges and even bosses.

While the story was a bit weird, the game it offers is a whole lotta fun.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has got my love and now I’m finding it to be my new go to in my downtime. Admittedly, I prefer the Quick races and multiplayer to the Creature shrinkathon story mode.

There’s also a feeling of nostalgia for grown up kids like me that used to race their Hotwheels cars against mates with cobbled together tracks.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged has taken everything that made the first Unleashed an excellent play and revved it up a few boosts.

The post Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 Turbocharged (Xbox Series X) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Milestone and Mattel, Inc. has announced the release of Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged, available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

All-new gameplay mechanics to explore across different terrains, new types of vehicles with unique perks, and a broad range of both single-player and multiplayer game modes will make players’ journey into the Hot Wheels® world more thrilling than ever, where speed, skills, and creativity come together.

“Hot Wheels is one of the most iconic brands in the world and has been providing unique experiences to fans for generations,” said Mike DeLaet, Global Head of Digital Gaming at Mattel. “We are excited that the Hot Wheels franchise continues to grow and expand every year, and can’t wait for fans to explore this new racing adventure with Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged.”

“We are thrilled to announce the release of Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged. The first chapter quickly became the most successful game in our history and with this new iteration, we wanted to push even further the boundaries of fun and creativity in the world of arcade racing,” said Luisa Bixio, Milestone CEO. “Of course, making a sequel is even a greater challenge; the bar is high, and we worked hard to amplify the adrenaline by revolutionising the gameplay with new actions, creating new environments and terrains, as well as introducing new game modes and vehicles to unleash even more Hot Wheels magic. We believe fans of all ages will be delighted by the experience we’ve created and can’t wait to see their reactions.” 

The Hot Wheels brand has always been synonymous with speed, thrill, and unparalleled vehicular designs. Keeping up with this legacy, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged offers a vast selection of over 130 vehicles, broadening its universe with the inclusion of ATVs, Motorcycles, and a host of new classes. Whether it’s the sheer speed of the Rocket class or the agility of the Swift, the perfect blend of handling and power of the Balanced category, the precision and finesse of the Drift group, the majesty of the Heavy Duty, or the adventurous Off-Roads, there’s a vehicle to suit every racer’s preference.

Importantly, each category will perform differently based on its specific characteristics and the different racing surfaces. Environments will thus play a pivotal role in the game, and players will be thrilled to discover five brand-new settings: a nostalgic Arcade room, a revamped Backyard racing arena, a Mini Golf Course set in the Wild West, a Dinosaur Museum, and a Gas Station complete with a diner.

Victory in Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged is about more than just speed. The game introduces an innovative Skill System, turning racing into a tactical battleground. Performance enhancements come from investing your Skills Points earned while racing in a Skill Tree composed of three branches, which upgrade vehicles in different ways; players can choose to improve boost and related features, handling, or the ability to navigate obstacles.

New gameplay mechanics also add increased depth to the racing excitement. Players can now use Single or Double Jumps for clever overtakes, dodging obstacles, and reaching shortcuts or previously unreachable track sections, while Lateral Dash allows drivers to quickly move sideways, ideal for colliding with opponents or avoiding falling off the track. These new possibilities combine with the existing Boost and Drift moves to provide players with multiple approaches to every scenario they encounter.

Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged introduces new dynamic game modes like Elimination, where staying too long in the last position will decree your game over, or Drift Master, a fusion of control and style perfect for drift lovers. These can be played in split-screen, just like Waypoint, the free-roaming mode where players will learn to explore environments looking for the shortest path through checkpoints. Moreover, two online-specific modes will fuel virtual battles, with cross-play* also enabling races across different consoles. In Grab the Gears, players will try to collect as many gears as possible within a designated area, while the Clash Derby mode will feature massive duels amongst Monster Trucks.

Another pillar of Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged is the revamped career mode. Here, players will team up with Robert and Darla, supported by their robotic sidekick XR046, to save the city from ominous creatures accidentally released by the sloppy Professor Tanabe.  Players will find themselves captivated by an engaging plot thanks to animated cutscenes that will give them a glimpse into the history and personalities of each character and will be called to spectacular battles against five bosses as they race to restore peace.

A number of upgraded design editors await the imaginative touch of the endlessly creative Hot Wheels Unleashed community. The Livery Editor will feature a new Sticker Editor to allow users to design, store, and share unique patterns and forms, whereas the Track Editor will provide special modules and features to boost the variety of player-generated tracks. All user-generated content is shareable cross-platform from day one (right now!) so that the whole community can appreciate each and every creation..

As tracks illuminate and engines bellow, Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 – Turbocharged offers not merely a game, but an experience that lingers. Whether pursuing breakneck speeds, orchestrating their next tactical move, or immersing in their artistic flair, this is where players can truly embrace arcade racing.

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